Food For Fun #5: Carton King Creativity Park (紙箱王創意主題園區) – Everything is made from Cardboard!

We use paper everyday. And in our impression, paper can only be used for drawing and writing. But the owner of Carton King (紙箱王) does not think it this way. He uses paper in the same way as plastic or wood is used to create dimensional packaging and in Taiwan, he created Carton King (紙箱王) – a a unique eatery where everything from the furnishings, to the decorations and even the plates are made from corrugated cardboard.

For this Food for Fun Taiwan trip, I visited Carton King Creativity Park in Taichung. The restaurant is a unique establishment, in both aesthetic and design. The interior looks like a blow up version from fairytales. Enter to this lovely garden where many of the park’s attractions are both water and flame retardant and can be toted to safety in case of typhoons.

Almost everything in Carton King is made by corrugated paper, such as ceiling, tables, chairs, lanterns, plates, pen…etc. As we entered the restaurant, I was amazed that everything inside this place is made from cardboard and paper, except for the food and waiters.

It sounded totally crazy to sit on cardboard chairs and I don’t really dare to put my full weight on the chair. But all my worries are redundant because when they first created this cardboard chair, they bring out their chef, who weighs more than 100kg, to sit on the carton chair. Then one of the waiters sits on his lap. So there are no questions about how strong they are.

So we each picked a set lunch and had to eat our food out of cardboard bowls at a cardboard table. Here’s a plate of Boston Herb-roasted Spring Chicken (NT$360) which is their signature.

Very tender Stewed Pork Ribs with Champagne Honey Sauce (NT$330).

Crispy Deep fried Pork Fillet with Apple Honey Curry (NT300).

Confit Lamb Chop with refreshing Orange Honey Sauce (NT$320).

Pan Fried Chicken Leg in Provence Sauce (NT$320).

Each set comes with a cup of olive rice, soup, vegetables and dessert. Before you eat, remember to have the small cup of fruit vinegar to open the palette.

We sip drinks from cups made from the recycled material, at a table made from similar material. Don’t worry, recycled material doesn’t mean they reuse the cups hor! And in fact, after you finished your drink, you can bring the cup home and turn it into a saving box.

Happy US together with the iSee Taiwan Foundation team.

In souvenir store, it offers not only your usual paper products, but also paper hats and bags made from leather-like paper.

And can you spot the landmark structures of the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai?

Yes, the carton horse can move one!

And there is a Honey Museum for you to buy some honey products. If you are free, you can stand at the learning zone and try to spot the Queen Bee.

The food is pretty average here but I guess it is the whole experience that makes it memorable. What’s great about this place is the recycling potential. In case anything breaks or becomes damaged, it’s simply recycled.

That is actually the point of the whole Carton King Creativity Park, to show the real power of paper and cardboard, and convince people it can be used for a lot more than generic packaging.

Here is a video of Carton King Creativity Park! There are of course many other branches, so you can go to the one nearest to you!

Maureen

Born into a family of enthusiastic foodies, Maureen has always loved all things culinary, especially the local cuisine here in Singapore. With a life-long fascination with the rapidly evolving food scene in Singapore, she started this website in 2007 to explore and celebrate all types of local Singapore dishes and to share her love of travel and food with the world. With 4 years of experience as a journalist and producer, she has a wealth of experience in food writing, photography and styling.